Georgia CommonsSR 12: Thomas, Morriscene Watts; condolences
Last action June 23, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life of Morriscene Watts Thomas, a longtime Atlanta Public Schools teacher and civil rights era community figure, and offers condolences to her family.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate marking the death of Morriscene Watts Thomas. It recounts her life story, including her birth in Philadelphia in 1928, her more than 26 years as an educator in the Atlanta Public School System, her participation in civil rights activities alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and her involvement with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. It also lists her surviving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally expresses the Senate's regret at her passing and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to her family.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and memory of Morriscene Watts Thomas on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- Expresses the Senate's sincere regret over her passing.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to her family.
- Creates no new laws, funding, or legal requirements, as it is a ceremonial tribute rather than legislation.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names the family of Morriscene Watts Thomas, who will receive a copy, and reflects on her impact on students and colleagues in the Atlanta Public School System and the broader Atlanta civil rights community.
Why it matters
While the resolution has no legal or financial effect, it provides an official public record of the Georgia Senate recognizing a private citizen's contributions to education and civil rights history, and offers a formal gesture of condolence to her surviving family.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses recount her birth, family background, and 26-plus years as an educator in the Atlanta Public School System.
- It notes her participation in civil rights rallies with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and activities with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
- The resolved clause has the Senate officially honor her memory and express regret at her passing.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to her family.
From the bill
“the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Morriscene Watts Thomas and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
- Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
- Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
Topics
- Georgia Senate resolution
- condolences
- civil rights history
- Atlanta Public Schools